In a contest which not only saw 10 goals scored in the second half, but 17 cards given – 11 of them yellow – Souths managed to post a comfortable victory.

After sitting out the opening week with the bye, Souths coach Ray Winwood-Smith was happy with the result and was able to identify aspects of play on which his side needs to improve.

“The game was typical of a first round game, it was probably played at a slower pace than I would’ve liked, but it showed us a few things,” he said.

“Parkes play a very unorthodox system which made it a bit difficult, but the boys stood in well and played with positive intent.

“There were a lot of cards given, which is probably reflective of a game out of control, but really it wasn’t.

“I was talking to Parkes’ coach afterwards and we both agreed it was just a sloppy game, it wasn’t out of control, the cards were more as a result of poor skill.

“There were 17 cards given – we had six yellows and Parkes were the same they got five, and there were a quite a few green cards.

“We worked out that we spent 55 minutes with 10 people on.”

The high penalty count aside, a new-look Souths side produced a handy effort against Parkes.

After leading 1-0 at half-time, Souths went on with the job in the second period.

The two blues advanced the score to 8-1 before two late Jack Elliott goals put the final margin at five.

Keiran Gentles, who along with Matt Johnson has made the move from Orange Wanderers to Souths, finished with a hat-trick.

Sydney recruits Nick McEwan (two) and Nathan Bourke also found the mark, as did returning players from last year’s grand final outfit in Jono Cole and Bryce Hitchcock.

Elliott scored all three of Parkes’ goals, Saturday’s loss coming after an 8-1 defeat to Lithgow Zig Zag a week earlier.

“We did a bit of rebuilding during the off-season and so this was probably the first chance we had to get everyone together at the one time,” Winwood-Smith said.

“Keiran Gentles was very impressive, he is going to be very good for us to have this season.

“It was a good result, I’m happy with the win. We are still trying a few things because it is only early in the season and we’ll be looking to step things up.

“But because it is such a short season, you’ve got to win those games which you are expected to win, you don’t want to find yourself a step behind.”

Souths’ next assignment will be a home game against Orange Wanderers at the Cooke Hockey Complex on Saturday.